Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau was honored prior to the Steelers-Bengals game for his 50 years of service in the NFL as a player and coach.

LeBeau received the award on the field before kickoff from Dan Rooney, Art Rooney, II and Mike Kensil, Director of Football Operations & Special Projects for the NFL.

LeBeau has made numerous contributions to the NFL and is the architect of the famous zone blitz defense.

COACHING BIO

http://io2.steelers.com/MediaContent/2008/08/13/11/08_PHILmd_lebeau_def_93480.jpgDick LeBeau begins the fifth year of his second tour of duty with the Steelers, for whom he experienced much success during the mid-1990s as both the team’s defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator.

Considered the architect of the Steelers’ famed “zone blitz,” LeBeau was named the Steelers’ defensive coordinator Jan. 16, 2004, after spending the 2003 season with the Buffalo Bills. He is one of six assistant coaches who remained on Pittsburgh’s staff following Mike Tomlin’s hiring in January, 2007.

His impact on the coaching staff was profound as the Steelers returned to the top of the NFL in total defense and rushing defense. In 2005, LeBeau’s defensive game plans played an integral part in stopping four of the NFL’s top five offenses in the AFC playoffs, including limiting Seattle to just 10 points in Super Bowl XL.

He continued his success in 2007 as he helped the defense finish the season first in overall defense, third in pass defense and third against the run.

LeBeau, 70, has been involved in the NFL for 49 years, 14 as a player and the past 35 as a coach. Prior to his return to Pittsburgh, LeBeau served one year as the assistant head coach with the Buffalo Bills and the previous two-plus years as the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals.

After six seasons in Pittsburgh from 1992-96, when he coached the secondary (1992-94) and then was defensive coordinator (1995-96), LeBeau returned to Cincinnati as the Bengals’ assistant head coach/defensive coordinator (1997-2000). He was later promoted to head coach Sept. 25, 2000, (after three games) and served in that capacity for two more seasons.

LeBeau began his coaching career as a special teams coach for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973-75. He also was an assistant coach at Green Bay (1976-79) and Cincinnati (1980-83), before serving his first term as the Bengals’ defensive coordinator from 1984-91.

Prior to entering the coaching ranks, LeBeau produced an outstanding pro career from which he still holds the NFL all-time record of 171 consecutive games for a cornerback and currently is tied for seventh all-time in the NFL with 62 career interceptions. His nine interceptions in 1970 led the NFC and his 62 career interceptions ranked third in the NFL at the time of his retirement. LeBeau also appeared in three Pro Bowls.

When it comes to picks by Lions defenders, cornerback Dick LeBeau stands on top in Lions history. From 1959-72, LeBeau, who was well-known for his ability to anticipate and break on the ball, recorded 62 interceptions for 762 yards and three touchdowns. His 62 picks are the most by a player in Lions history, and they are tied for seventh all-time in NFL history. The 762 interception return yards ranks third all-time in team history. He not only was productive in picking off opponent passers, but LeBeau was one of the most durable players in team history. From 1959-72, he played in 185 games which is fourth all-time in team history, and he is third all-time for the most seasons played (14). LeBeau holds the NFL record for consecutive games played by a cornerback with 171. During his career, he earned three trips to the Pro Bowl from 1965-67. In 1970, LeBeau established a career-high nine interceptions, which are tied for sixth on the team’s all-time single-season interceptions list. He was a major defensive contributor to the Lions finishing with a 10-4 record that season. The Lions finished second in the NFC Central and earned a berth in the playoffs. LeBeau was acquired by the Lions as a free agent after being released by Cleveland in training camp prior to his rookie season. LeBeau was drafted by the Brown in the fifth round of the 1959 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, and, while in college, he was a member of the Buckeyes 1956 National Championship team.

AZ_Steeler

11-21-2008, 12:44 PM

I know you go to the games Stlrs4life, were in your seat and able to see this before the game?

Stlrs4Life

11-21-2008, 12:46 PM

Was just getting there as it was going on.

BlitzburghRockCity

11-21-2008, 02:24 PM

Lebeau is absolutely no question a sure fire HOF candidate when he finally retires, the man can diagnose an offense and get his defense in position to make plays better than anyone else in the league today and as well as any great DC's in the past. 50 years in the league and still as sharp as ever.

ejsteeler

11-21-2008, 03:25 PM

Lebeau is absolutely no question a sure fire HOF candidate when he finally retires, the man can diagnose an offense and get his defense in position to make plays better than anyone else in the league today and as well as any great DC's in the past. 50 years in the league and still as sharp as ever.

:ditto: There is no reason he should not be in at first elegibility. He will be a legend in the game long after he s gone. :clap:

Dean Denton

11-21-2008, 07:18 PM

I hope that he is grooming someone to take over for him. I guess I'm hoping its Tomlin if the guy is going to be our coach for years to come. that would give Tomlin a pretty good back ground with all the other coaches he has been with.

lloydfan4life

11-21-2008, 09:16 PM

I thought it was sad to see that the seats were only about 1/3 full as they honored him. It seemed like you could hardly hear the crowd at all, which is not typical for Steelers fans! I wonder if weather conditions played a part in so many arriving to the stadium late, or if it was just the good food at the tailgate parties.

Lebeau is a legend and absolutely deserves the hall of fame! :cope::cope::cope:

Stlrs4Life

11-22-2008, 12:50 PM

Not sure, the food and beer is always good at the tailgate parties, but walking in, there were alot of open parking spots in Gold Lot 2, which normally are full.

Steelerlyn

11-22-2008, 04:27 PM

Not sure, the food and beer is always good at the tailgate parties, but walking in, there were alot of open parking spots in Gold Lot 2, which normally are full.

I can understand why the lots are not full. Greed and the economy. I paid 237 bucks for a parking pass and in past years I have never paid more than $150. They are pushing Joe6Pack out of the game because if you are going to tailgate, you need a parking pass and you also need a game ticket which is not cheap if you want a decent seat. In this economy and with the holidays coming up, people are going to give their kids a nice Christmas/holiday before they spend money on themselves.